Dept. of Homeland Security welcomes new members to advisory council

Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas swore in the newest members of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) last week at a meeting that discussed a range of homeland security-related issues.

The HSAC is a federal advisory committee that works with the Department of Homeland Security to provide the department’s secretary with independent, informed recommendations and advice on a variety of homeland security issues. The council is comprised of national policy makers; representatives from state, local and tribal governments; and emergency and first responder communities. The council also includes representatives from academia and the private sector.

Newly sworn-in members include Emerson Collective’s Managing Director for Immigration Marshall Fitz, a longtime immigration activist and advocate of common-sense approaches to immigration issues in the U.S.

Another new member of the council is the National Football League's chief security officer, Jeffrey Miller. He brings years of law enforcement and event security experience to the HSAC.

John Pistole, the president of Anderson University, joins the council as well. He began his career with the FBI in 1983 and after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he was placed in charge of the FBI’s counterterrorism program, eventually becoming the FBI’s executive assistant director for national security.  

The fourth new member is John Pistole, former administrator for the Transportation Security Administration.

“These accomplished individuals bring with them invaluable expertise and experience to the Homeland Security Advisory Council, which helps the Department of Homeland Security continually improve policies and initiatives across our wide-ranging missions,” Mayorkas said. “We look forward to working with them on the pivotal issues that help guide this department.”